MORE ABOUT THE SHOULDER JOINT AND FROZEN SHOULDER
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where shoulder mobility is restricted, resulting in pain and a functional disability.
The shoulder is made up of three bones that form a ball-and-socket joint:
- Humerus (upper arm bone)
- Scapula (shoulder blade)
- Clavicle (collarbone)
When you develop frozen shoulder, the capsule surrounding the joint contracts and the body forms bands of scar tissue called adhesions. Range of motion may also be restricted because of soft sacs sticking together and cushioning the joint. The shoulder joint will become stiff and cause severe pain.
When frozen shoulder occurs, people cannot raise their arm laterally above a line parallel to the ground and past 90 degrees without also elevating their entire shoulder girdle. The restrictive range of motion makes the completion of everyday tasks difficult and sometimes impossible.
Putting on a shirt, washing hair, or placing hands on the hips become painful and dreaded actions. People can also suffer from sleep deprivation because the pain is excruciating while they try to sleep.
